Sara M. Vanden Brook - Madison, WI
Attorney at The Law Center, S.C.
Family Law Lawyers in Madison, WI
433 W. Washington Avenue Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
18
Years
Experience
Madison Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 04/15/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Advanced Reproductive Technology
- Child Custody, Placement and Support
- Divorce, Cooperative Divorce and Collaborative Divorce
- Guardianship
- Grandparents' Rights
- Foster Parents' Rights
- International Family Law
- Juvenile delinquency
- LGBT issues
- Mediation
- Parent Coordination
- School Law
Attorney Information
Overview
Sara has long been a strong advocate for children. Before attending law school, she was a social worker for the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. Now as an experienced attorney, recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2017 and 2019, Sara helps families involved in divorce and paternity proceedings, grandparent and foster parent rights cases, and in complicated CHIPS and termination of parental rights matters. She also serves as a mediator, as well as a guardian ad litem, representing the best interest of children. In all cases, Sara seeks creative solutions that work for families and protect children’s rights.
PRACTICE AREAS
Divorce
Cooperative and Collaborative Divorce
Child Custody, Placement, and Support
Paternity
International Family Law
LGBTQ Family Law
Marital Property and Cohabitation Agreements
Mediation
Parent Coordination
Appeals
Guardian ad litem Appointments
CHIPS
Guardianships
Grandparent Rights
Foster Parent Rights
Adoption (Contested and Uncontested)
Assisted Reproduction
Surrogacy
EDUCATION
Sara graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies & Psychology. She earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2008.
While in law school, Sara was a leader in the Children’s Justice Project. She was also active in the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society, and Law Students for Reproductive Justice. She interned for the Honorable David Flanagan, Dane County Circuit Court, and was a student attorney with both the Rock County Public Defender’s Office and the Family Law & Restorative Justice Project of the Frank J. Remington Center.
COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sara serves as a member of the Board of the Divorce Cooperation Institute. She was formerly the President of the Board. She is also a member of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, the Dane County Bar Association, and the Legal Association for Women. Sara has served on the Board of the Children and the Law Section of the State Bar since 2017, an elected position.
Sara volunteers with the Dane County Family Law Assistance Center and the Dane County Case Mediation Program. She has been a coach for Dane County Girls on the Run, and while she has traded in her running shoes for a yoga mat, Sara is proud to have completed numerous charity runs, including a Madison Marathon and several half marathons across the country.
PERSONAL
Sara and her husband are the proud parents of their two young children, and they have two socially awkward cats, Monkey and George. Sara is an avid fan of the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers. She and her family love to travel, especially to tropical destinations, and they also regularly enjoy local trips to the zoo, parks, and the Farmer’s Market.
Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About Sara M. Vanden Brook
Included on the 2021 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2020 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Wisconsin Law School,
Madison,
Wisconsin, 2008
Honors: Bruce F. Beilfuss Award for Outstanding Service
Honors: Pro Bono Partnership Award/Pro Bono Publico Award
Honors: Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society, and Law Students for Reproductive Justice
-
University of Wisconsin Law School,
Madison,
Wisconsin, 2008
-
Non Legal Education
-
UW-Madison
B.S.
Major: Human Development and Family Studies & Psychology
-
UW-Madison
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Attorney | Officer
Past Positions
- Honorable David Flanagan, Dane County Circuit Court, Intern
- Rock County Public Defender’s Office, Student Attorney
- Family Law & Restorative Justice Project of the Frank J. Remington Center, Student Attorney
Pro Bono Activities
- Volunteer, Dane County Family Law Assistance Center
- Coach, Dane County Girls on the Run
Other Affiliations
- Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin (Member)
- Board of the Divorce Cooperation Institute (Member)
- Dane County Bar Association (Member)
- Legal Association for Women (Member)
- Board of the Children and the Law Section of the State Bar since 2017
- Dane County Case Mediation Program
Photo
Contact
433 W. Washington Avenue
Suite 300
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-821-8200
Fax: 608-821-8201
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.lawcenterwisconsin.com/?refPageViewId=587020e6d4487af2
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